The top left graph allows us to see the employment rates for people from age 15-24 during the year 1991. This showing that Belize did not suffer from unemployment during this time because it shows that most did have jobs; or jobs were not needed during this time. The graph right under shows the food supply during the same year as the first and it shows that the food supply was sufficient for the population and there was not much poverty. The first picture on the right shows the ratio between boys and girls when dealing with education. This is important because it clearly shows that its population of both boys and girls in education is close to that of all the other countries, showing no discrimination for education. The one under this graph shows the internet usage in Belize in 2006, this can barely be seen because they do not have the same resources as many other countries.
Catholicism is the major religion in Belize today claiming a third of the population; it was influenced by the surrounding culture. There is a British influence in the format of the Protestant religion, having a larger population than any other in Central America. Those of Maya heritage still practice
Shamanism with a mixture of Christianity beliefs as well. In the year 1857 thousands of Indians migrated from Jamaica to Belize, bringing with them the religion of Hinduism; today small villages around Belize are the ones that mainly follow this belief system. Along with Hinduism, many Jamaicans also had Islamic beliefs and now represent one percent of Belize’s
population.
Shamanism with a mixture of Christianity beliefs as well. In the year 1857 thousands of Indians migrated from Jamaica to Belize, bringing with them the religion of Hinduism; today small villages around Belize are the ones that mainly follow this belief system. Along with Hinduism, many Jamaicans also had Islamic beliefs and now represent one percent of Belize’s
population.
The practice of Catholicism has increased during the years,
because of the influence of other Central American countries. This has established a cultural background that follows many of the same aspects as the surrounding countries. Religion is a topic not usually discussed in regular day settings, not discriminating anyone for their religion. It has adopted a cultural setting of peace and togetherness. Even though they practice different religions it is still seen that there are many groups where they unite for the betterment of Belize. Cathedrals are sacred places in the Catholic religion, they are usually greatly adorned with alters, candles and saints. Protestant churches are usually simpler than those of the Catholic, not having saints because it was believed that they were taking away from the main focus which is God. Hinduism is practiced in temples, each with dedicated to a certain God; this is seen as their home on Earth. Mosques are the sanctuaries that the Islam uses for worship; these are big rooms that are used for prayer, only having mats for prayer. Each of these religions has sacred places in other countries, but has reconstructed the bases of their faith in their places of worship. There is no connection between government and religion in Belize, there is religious freedom that has been set and determined. Any discrimination between religions is illegal and rarely ever occurs; the only part of the government allowed to have a practice in religion is the education system.Religion has a strong presence in the curriculum in social studies courses, though can only be practiced with the parental consent. Usually children receive around three and a half hours of religious teaching a week. With this also there is time for each to pray in their chapels. This is the only exception to government involvement in religious environments. |
http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Belize.html
This website goes into the detail of history and explains how Belize has grown and created this defined culture. http://www.ize2belize.com/belize/facts/culture.html This website defines the different cultures that were first found in Belize and shows how they have established the culture that is now present. |
People in Belize usually eat cuisine that is in smaller quantities than in America, breakfast consists mostly of the typical homemade foods. The lunch eaten there are mostly very light and is an important part of the day, businesses shutting down seeing it as family time. Dinner is the dish that usually has great amounts of food; most restaurants have food for very cheap in Belize so many go out to eat or spend hours preparing the food for the meal.
Powder Buns
If you are in Belize or have access to a coconut, your recipe can begin with cracking the coconut and griding out the meat. If you don’t, you can use store-bought coconut, but just keep in mind that it has added sugar. After using a machette or very large knife (use the back of the blade) to crack the coconut allow the coconut water to drain over a bowl.
Once the coconut is drained crack it all the way in half. If you have a coconut grinder you can grid out the coconut, if not (like us!) you can pick out the coconut meat carefully. Make sure that the coconut meat doesn’t have any bark on it.
After grating the coconut, strain out the Coconut Milk.
Straining the milk out of the coconut
Sift the 2 Cups of Flour and add the Margarine, mixing by hand until the mixture is crumbly.
Add in dry ingredients: Sugar, Raisins, Spices, Baking Powder, and ground Coconut.
Beat Eggs, Vanilla, and Coconut Milk. Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients slowly. Final dough is moist and sticky. Use a spoon to drop large spoonfuls on a well-greased baking sheet and sprinkle generously with course brown sugar.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
http://www.belizenewspost.com/2186/powder-bun-belizean-treat/
If you are in Belize or have access to a coconut, your recipe can begin with cracking the coconut and griding out the meat. If you don’t, you can use store-bought coconut, but just keep in mind that it has added sugar. After using a machette or very large knife (use the back of the blade) to crack the coconut allow the coconut water to drain over a bowl.
Once the coconut is drained crack it all the way in half. If you have a coconut grinder you can grid out the coconut, if not (like us!) you can pick out the coconut meat carefully. Make sure that the coconut meat doesn’t have any bark on it.
After grating the coconut, strain out the Coconut Milk.
Straining the milk out of the coconut
Sift the 2 Cups of Flour and add the Margarine, mixing by hand until the mixture is crumbly.
Add in dry ingredients: Sugar, Raisins, Spices, Baking Powder, and ground Coconut.
Beat Eggs, Vanilla, and Coconut Milk. Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients slowly. Final dough is moist and sticky. Use a spoon to drop large spoonfuls on a well-greased baking sheet and sprinkle generously with course brown sugar.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
http://www.belizenewspost.com/2186/powder-bun-belizean-treat/
The food that is produced for Belize is typically grown locally and distributed through shops that have been around for years. Most of the produce is sold in markets that are seen throughout the side of the roads or in open areas. The food does not deal with the religions that are found, but most commonly the culture that is established through each religion. The cuisine seen here is very diverse with the cultures of all the races found in Belize.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.adventure-life.com/articles/belize-history-906/
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.belizevisitor.com/religion-in-Belize.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.paradisehunter.com/countryinformation/belize/country-info/culture
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Sacred-Space.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.belizevisitor.com/religion-in-Belize.html
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.paradisehunter.com/countryinformation/belize/country-info/culture
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/Library/Islam/Ritual-Worship-Devotion-Symbolism/Sacred-Space.html